Here She Is

Part 2

My hands instantly fly to my stomach, where our child now lies. Theria has already wrapped her up. I gather her into my arms, and nothing makes me melt more than seeing her face. "Peeta," I manage to say, tears streaming down my face as I bring the tips of my fingers to her tiny cheek.

Peeta slowly places his hand on out daughters back, now covered in a blanket. He tilts his head to get a better view of my daughter and tears of joy run down his cheeks. I watch in awe as she squeals at the top of her mini voice and wriggle around slightly in my arms. I can make out quickly that she is a tiny version of me. Peeta turns to quickly share a kiss with me. A proud and excited one.

I gasp when her eyes flutter open. At first, it feels like I'm staring into Peeta's ocean-blue orbs, and that's when I realise,

They are his eyes.

"Look at her eyes, Peeta!" I exclaim in delight, leaning into him.

My husbands hand goes from our baby girl’s back to stroke her small head. As he rakes his hand across, I discover that she has small brown hairs. "Your hair Katniss." He states with a wide smile.

I bring her close and press a feathery light kiss on her tiny nose. When I pull away, I see some of my tears on her cheeks, I smile broadly, wiping them away.

"I'm sorry." I say to her, "Mama's just really happy to see you."

Then in that very moment, it sinks in.

I'm a mother.

"What are we going to name this beautiful princess?" Peeta asks me, tears never finding a time to stop running down the sides of his face and dropping onto the white hospital bed sheets.

Dozens of names fly in and out of my brain. Raine, is the first that comes to mind, pronounced as 'rain'.. I instantly think of water, and how she is the child who reminded me that there's no fire anymore. No fire that can take her. I'm about to voice my opinion, then other names fly in and out of my head. "I.. have an idea.. though I'd like to hear yours first."

"No you go, you were the one that held her inside for 9 months and just went through an excruciating labour to get her here. Pitch your idea first."

"Raine." I say, "Sounds odd, I know but.." I turn to my daughter, who's eyes are wide open, alert. "She's reminding me that there's no fire anymore. She's the rain who put out my fires, our fires, and there are no more flames left that can take her from us." I say, running my thumb over her cheek.

"That's beautiful. That's suits her so much.” Peeta agrees with me. There is nothing that can take her from us, she has entered a safe and better Panem. No reapings. No Hunger Games. “Do you want a plant middle name to keep your family tradition going?” He asks.

"How about you choose her middle name, Peeta?" I say, looking to him, a faint, tired smile painting over my face.

"Okay then. How about Willow? I proposed to you under a Willow tree and we married under one. We became one by it. It shows we are always with her." Peeta contributes and rests his head beside my tired face.

"That's beautiful, Peeta." I say, a fresh set of tears springing to my eyes. "I love it so much." I turn to our daughter, the tears spilling over. "Raine Willow Mellark."

"Raine Willow Mellark." Peeta breathes and kisses Raine's small head. "I would ask if I could hold her but, I'd probably break down and possibly drop her." He jokes and face-palms. "But you need some rest." He adds.

"Oh Peeta." I laugh, wiping my tears away, "You won't drop her, I know it." I pass her to him, making sure she makes it safely to his arms.

"Hello Raine." Peeta whispers as she is placed into his arms. Once she is, I rest my head back onto the pillow.

"Look at you! Beautiful! Mama and I are going to protect you sweetie, you don't have to worry. Guess what, I'm going to spoil you." As Peeta continues talking with his daughter, tears run faster down his cheeks. "You look just like your Mama over there. But you and I share the same coloured eyes." A tear drops onto her fingers and she lets out a small, quiet cry. "Sshh. Mama is trying to sleep baby." He informs her and she calms down as she is slightly bobbed. "That's it."

My heart swells with adoration as I see Peeta coo our daughter. He was made for this, I let out a smile before turning to Theria, who is wearing the brightest grin on her face. I smile back at her before shifting down under the sheets. I glance to my family once more and close my eyes.

A few minutes later,  I open my eyes slightly to see what Peeta is up to since I'm still awake. He lies beside me, with Raine in between us.

"I love you both.. so much." I croak, my heavy eyes closing once again.

…

The End